B.League: Dwight-less Toyama back on track, Ravena brothers struggle
FILE – Toyama Grouses huddle up during their game against the Osaka Evessa in the Japan B.League. Photo from Toyama Grouses Instagram
MANILA, Philippines — Toyama Grouses ended their seven-game skid without Dwight Ramos after beating the Yokohama B-Corsairs, 90-65, in Japan B.League on Saturday at Kurobe City Gymnasium.
Despite the absence of the Filipino import, Brice Johnson carried Toyama with 26 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and two steals to finally end their slump, improving to 17-29 record.
Article continues after this advertisementKeijuro Matsui chipped in 16 points, while Joshua Smith and Toshiki Kamisawa added 14 each.
Yokohama dropped to 16-28 in the 16th place.
Meanwhile, Kiefer Ravena and the Shiga Lakestars absorbed their 14th straight loss after a lopsided 92-50 loss to the Ryukyu Golden Kings at Okinawa Arena.
Article continues after this advertisementThe 28-year-old guard was held to just five points, struggling from the field with 1-of-11 shooting and had three assists, two steals, and a rebound. Sean O’Mara was the lone bright spot for Shiga with 13 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals as they dropped to 10-31 record.
Thirdy Ravena also struggled as San-En NeoPhoenix yielded to Osaka Evessa, 98-80, at Ookini Arena Maishima.
The younger Ravena only scored two points after he went 0-of-6 from the field, although he tallied four assists, one rebound and a steal. Elias Harris had 24 points and eight rebounds to carry the cudgels of San-En, which suffered its fourth straight defeat sliding to 8-35.
Kobe Paras and the Niigata Albirex BB also suffered a 89-72 blowout defeat to the Utsunomiya Brex at City Hall Plaza Aore Nagaoka.
Paras scored 13 points on 4-of-11 shooting and had two assists, two blocks, one rebound, and a steal in Niigata’s eighth straight loss, falling to 5-37.
Javi Gomez de Liano, who was scoreless in nine minutes of play, was also unfortunate as his compatriots after Ibaraki (13-30) fell to the Chiba Jets, 92-83, at Adastria Mito Arena.
